Individual Consultant to Conduct evidence review and advocacy framework on Child Marriage among Roma Communities, GPD, Child Protection & Migration, 4,5 months, COE Amman (Remote) # 594762

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. Committed to promoting the rights of every child, UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a passionate culture dedicated to serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Purpose

The consultant will conduct an evidence synthesis and produce an evidence-informed advocacy framework on child marriage among Roma communities in the ECA region, focusing on specific countries. The assignment aims to establish an evidence base on prevalence, drivers, and consequences, document effective interventions, and identify data gaps. This will lead to a Regional Framework on Child Marriage among Roma Communities in ECA, providing a shared analytical foundation and theory of change. Finally, a Policy Paper will translate this framework into an advocacy document targeting EU child protection and social inclusion frameworks, ensuring Roma girls are explicitly included before the 2030 deadline. This work positions UNICEF as a credible technical partner.

Responsibilities

The consultant will undertake six key tasks. First, they will conduct a systematic scoping review, including inception, protocol development, literature search, screening, data extraction, evidence mapping, synthesis, and drafting the review report. This review will establish the evidence base on child marriage among Roma communities, documenting interventions and identifying data gaps. Second, drawing on these findings, the consultant will develop a zero-draft Regional Framework on Child Marriage among Roma Communities in ECA. This framework will provide a shared analytical foundation and theory of change, to be validated through national stakeholder consultations and a Regional Workshop. Third, the consultant will draft a Policy Paper, translating the validated Regional Framework into a focused, evidence-based advocacy document. This paper will target key EU instruments like the EU Child Guarantee and its National Action Plans, the EU Roma Strategic Framework, and the European Social Fund Plus, accompanied by a concise advocacy summary for direct engagement with partners.

Work Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting systematic reviews, scoping reviews, evidence syntheses, or mixed-methods research on child protection, gender, adolescent wellbeing, or harmful practices. Demonstrated experience producing high-quality research reports and policy-oriented advocacy documents. Experience with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, or research institutions. Familiarity with evidence on child marriage, gender equality, social exclusion, and human rights is required.

Skills

Systematic and scoping review methodologies (e.g., PRISMA-ScR), Literature searching, screening, quality appraisal, data extraction, Reference management software (EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley), Producing high-quality research reports, Evidence syntheses, Policy-oriented or advocacy document drafting, Child protection, Gender equality, Adolescent wellbeing, Harmful practices, Social exclusion, Human rights

Explore related opportunities